Global Education Team Presentations

Hi Guys,

     The presentations were awesome. Everybody did a great job. The speeches were well-written, informative and presented with energy. The diorama's looked great. However, most importantly and the main purpose of this month-long exercise was to learn how to collaborate as a team. The teamwork on display was excellent...especially with The Amazing Amazons, The Pink Dolphins, the Amazon Specials and finally the Grand Masters. Good Job everyone!

Experience Class Field Trip

Hi Guys,

     Today we went to the beautiful Taipei Botanical Gardens to enjoy the every day beauty of the plants that surround us. We learned all about rain forest plants, the ones that grow in the Amazon, the Congo and other jungles around the world. It's so much better to see the plants up close and personal instead of on a TV screen or in a book.

     This Friday, we have our unit test. The Vocabulary Review Test is next week on Tuesday. The units covered on the tests are exclusively from the two Reading Street stories called Dear Juno and Anansi Goes Fishing. Next week on Wednesday, we'll make videos of each team presenting their team project for the Global Education focus of the Experience Class. All videos will be posted on the blog.

Have a great week,

Mr. Kuhel

Congratulations Melody . . . Our 3rd Grade Spelling Bee Champion!

Hi Guys,

      Congrats to Melody who is the 2017 Spelling Bee co-champion with Tommy from 304. The contest was fun and it was great to see all the kids who worked so hard.

     The spelling quiz today was also quite a success. We had a phenomenal 96% class average.

     This weekend is a 4-day holiday celebrating the Dragon Boat Festival. I hope everyone gets out of the house and enjoys lots of exercise and sunshine in nature. It's just as important to take time to play as it is to work!

See you next Wednesday,

Mr. K

Dear Juno Unit Test

Hi Guys,

     The class average on the test was over 90%. Our year-long hard work is starting to pay off and I strongly believe we'll meet our year-end academic goals...which is a pretty exciting thing. I have set your child up for continuing success in the 4th grade and beyond.

Mr. K

Results of the 2nd Written Exam

Hi Guys,

     The results for the 2nd Mid-term are very good. The class average is 91%. The progress that all the students have made as a class is incredible. There is still one more Exam to go and then it's summer time. Keep up the good work and parents, thanks for all your hard work. I really appreciate it.

     The HW is to do the new vocabulary sentences for words 1 - 5. There are still three more exams on Thursday. I will keep the homeword to a minimum for Tuesday and Wednesday.

Mr. Kuhel

Results of the Reading and Listening Exam

Hi guys,

     The class did extremely well with a class average of 95%. Good job everyone. This weekend, just continue your preparation for the Written Exam next Tuesday. The HW for this weekend is to write 6 sentences for good and bad using the comparative and the superlative.

This means write 6 sentences using:

1. good
2. better than
3. the best....in
4. bad
5. worse than
6. the worst...in

Have a great weekend,

Mr. K

Diorama Presentation

Hi Guys,

     I hope everyone had a nice weekend. I spent it moving houses. So as you can guess, my weekend was all work and no play!

    I usually don't write on the blog on Monday, but there seems to be a bit of confusion about the diorama project. I understand that a lot of students made an African Jungle diorama last year and that is the Big Reason why I decided to do a diorama about the Amazon Jungle.

     Remember, your child is in third grade and they are continuously building upon the knowledge they have already acquired. This project is not about building a diorama. The diorama is only a part of the project. The real goal of this project is teamwork.

The grade will be based upon the following:

1. How well each team works together.
2. How quickly the team's project is completed.
3. How well organized the diorama is to show important points
4. A few paragraphs explaining each key point
5. Finally, the team's presentation which will be videotaped.

     There are a few students in 303 who are excellent artists, but this is not art class. The team that builds an interesting, clever diorama that can illustrate some of the key points that we have talked about in class will receive high grades. Of course if you draw well, that is awesome. But once again, this is a team project to present important points about the importance and beauty of our Earth's amazing Amazon.

     The materials are quite simple: real rocks, real leaves to act as trees, real wooden twigs and grass. As the class has already learned how to make a diorama, we don't need to waste class time teaching that skill. The real test is can the groups quickly do it together as a team. If you already bought green/brown paper and paint and stuff...excellent. However the bulk of the diorama will be made of stuff you can get for free from the park. I hope this clears up any confusion!

Thanks for all your concerns and support,

Mr. Kuhel

Experience Class Project

Hi Guys,

     Starting next week, we will be building a 3-D diorama of the Amazon Jungle. Below you will find a list of things your child will need to purchase and bring to school by Wednesday, April 26th. The items aren't very expensive and the project will take place over the course of 3 or 4 weeks. I will also put notices in the communication book. Finally, for your convenience, here is the address of the website that provides the basic guidelines for the project. Here is the website so you can look at it at home: 

http://www.firstpalette.com/Craft_themes/Animals/rainforestdiorama/rainforestdiorama.html

Materials

• Shoebox or similar-sized box
• a big box for a team of three or four students
• Brown, green, blue and white colored paper
• Green crepe paper
• Green paint
• Blue Tack clay
• Crayons or colored pencils
• Scissors
• White glue
• Paint brush
• Pencil
• Small rocks and twigs

     It’s fun to learn all about Brazilian rain forests and the amazing animals that live in this habitat by making this cool diorama. I think we'll see some amazing results!

Mr. K

Field Trip and Unit Test Results

Hi Guys,

     The field trip on Wednesday to the noodle factory was great fun. We all made our own package of instant rice noodles and turtle cakes. The museum showed the evolution of the instant noodle industry. It was all quite interesting.

     The Unit Test results for One Good Turn Deserves Another were quite excellent. The class average was over 90% with most of the class scoring in the high 90's. Good job every one.

     The second mid-term is around the corner. It is much easier and less stressful to review all the vocabulary for a few minutes before or after dinner 3 or 4 times a week. Then, when the big test rolls around, you will be ready!

Mr. Kuhel

The First Midterm and Mr. K goes to America

Hi Guys,

      The results are in and they are good! As the tests get harder, the class average keeps going up. Last semester the class averages on the 3 big exams were 84, 87, and 88. The first midterm of the spring saw a class average of 92. Good job everyone. Keep up the good work.

      This is just a quick note letting you know that I will be attending a wedding and a family reunion in America from March 27^th to April 8^th. This correlates with the 7^th and 8^th weeks of the Spring Semester, 2017.

I have written detailed lesson plans for the substitute teachers who will be helping me out while I am away. The substitutes are coming from the highly skilled staff already working at Xinmin, so you have nothing to worry about. The bulk of the lessons will be covered by Miss Rowena. My partner in the 3^rd grade, Mr. David Lam, will be in daily conversation with the subs making sure everything goes well.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Director of the English Department, Miss Angel. My whole family, especially my little girl, is super excited about our upcoming travels creating wonderful life memories.

Back in two weeks!

Mr. Jeff Kuhel

Listening Reading Exam

Hi Guys,

     The Listening Reading Exam is over and done. The results were quite excellent with an 88% average on a difficult test. Good Job! Next up is the Written Exam.
     The exam will basically look the same as the other written exams we took last semester. There will be a True / False section based on the two stories. Read them! There will be reading comprehension questions on the two stories as well. Must answer with COMPLETE sentences.
      The students will also be tested on the comparative and superlative adjectives:

1. fast, faster, the fastest (one syllable)
2. crazy, crazier, the craziest (two syllables with a 'y')
3. beautiful, more beautiful, the most beautiful (2, 3, 4 syllables with NO  'y')

     Finally, there will be a section for the Common Mistakes. The main focus will be:

1. There is/are
2. There was/were
3. Proper Nouns. Capitalize 4 main things: 

• Names of people, places and things and titles (Mr. Mrs. Dr.)
• Days of the week (Monday - Sunday)
• Months of the year (January - December)
• Common words  used in a name (park vs Daan Forest Park)

The Vocabulary Review Test

Hi Guys,

     The Vocab Review Test went very well. Most of the students were prepared and had little difficulty with the test. The class average was 90%. Good job everyone. Next up is the Listening and Reading Exam coming this Friday. We'll practice pronunciation lots in class and with diligent review at home, everyone should be fine. Once again, congratulations on doing such a wonderful job.

Mr. Kuhel

Unit Test for Scarcity

Hi Guys,

     Well there was no scarcity of good grades on the Unit Test...which was pretty hard. The class average was 89% That's really incredible! Good job everyone.

     Next Tuesday is the Vocabulary Review Test. Make sure you review all your vocabulary handouts (A and B) for both stories Abe Lincoln and Scarcity. On Friday is the Listening and Reading Exam. I will prepare handouts for both the big Exams, so everyone will be prepared. Again, good job on the Unit Test.

Have a Great Weekend,

Mr. Kuhel

Nice to See Everyone Again!

Hi Guys,

     The Parent/Teacher Meeting was very nice. It was great to see all the moms and dads that showed up. Communication is always a good thing.

     For those who were unable to attend, we basically covered what will happen for the rest of 3rd Grade and even what to expect in 4th Grade. I will post a few of the important details of the conference.

Experience Class: Themes that correlate with the stories in Reading Street

1.Resources and Culture

2.Cooperation and the Golden Rule

3.Bridging Language and Cultural Barriers

4.Honesty, Love and Caring

Global Education: Creating an International World View

1.The Rainforest: The importance of a rainforest

2.What is happening there

3.How to save and protect the Amazon

Eperience Class Curriculum Guide

3/8  Fieldtrip to Shung Ye of Formosan Aboriginal Village

3/15  Brazil Environmental Issue – Deforestation: Who lives in the forest?

3/22  Review for 1st Monthly Exams

3/29 Brazil Environmental Issue – Deforestation: Why are rainforests important?

4/5  Diorama of a Rainforest

4/12  Fieldtrip - All school outing

4/19  Bilingualism

4/26  Brazil Environmental Issue – Deforestation: Erosion and resources for people

5/3  Review for 2nd Monthly Exams

5/10  Caring as an act of love (Mother’s Day)

5/17  Spelling Bee Practice

5/24  Brazil Environmental Issue – Deforestation: Why are rainforests disappearing?

5/31  Brazil Environmental Issue – Deforestation: How can we save rainforests?

6/7  Fieldtrip to Taipei Botanical Garden

6/14  Review for 3rd Monthly Exams

6/21  Final Exam (6/20-21)

        If you have any further questions, please contact me. Thanks again to all the parents that showed up.

Have a great weekend,

Mr. Kuhel

Parent Teacher Conference

Hi Guys,

     Tomorrow, Saturday, March 4th, is the Parent Teacher Conference. I am looking forward to seeing everyone again. There are a few things that will be discussed:

1. Semester goals that will prepare your child for 4th Grade and beyond
2. A new system to see your child's weekly grades and results on all HW assignments, quizzes, test and exams
3. What to expect from the Experience Class

     Our chat with time for a Q & A should take about 45 minutes. I hope we have a crowded house tomorrow!

Mr. Kuhel

Homework for the 4-day Holiday

Hi Guys,

     The homework is the same as always.

1. Complete your Week 2 sentence corrections.
2. Do your Week 3 spelling for the new vocabulary. 
3. Complete Week 3 Daily Verbs for Monday and Tuesday

     We are off to a great start this semester. You have all learned the system and are doing very well. So far, everyone is doing the homework correctly every day and the entire class is on pace to get the 100 stamps you need to earn the "Big Prize" in June!

Happy Holidays,

Mr. Kuhel

Unit Test on Abe Lincoln

Hi Guys,

     Tomorrow is the unit test. Please look in your child's Classroom Notes notebook for what will be tested on tomorrow. The test will include:

1. Six Reading Comprehension Questions: The students must answer with complete sentences using the key words from the question.
2. New Vocabulary A & B: The students must know all the synonyms and definitions for 20 words (1 - 10 on the handouts for weeks 1 and 2).
3. Capitalize Proper Nouns: The students must recognize and capitalize the proper nouns which include: days of the week (Monday), months (March), holidays (Chinese New Year) as well as the names of people and places.
4. Nouns: When to add an "s" for plural nouns.
5. Verbs: When to add an "s" for 3rd person (he, she, it) and the exceptions (who, everyone, someone, no one, and my family)
6. Common Mistakes 
7. Contractions

     Again, I would like to remind everyone once again that this is the flu season. If your child feels sick or has a fever, please let them stay at home in bed. My daughter has been home sick for three days because one of her classmates came to school with the flu and got everyone else sick.

Confidence comes from Being Prepared,

Mr. Kuhel

This Week's HW Schedule

Hi, Guys,

      This week's schedule will be a little bit different because of the extra day of class we had on Saturday.

• For Monday and Tuesday, the students must do the new vocabulary sentences 1 - 10. 
• On Wednesday, the HW will be to just get ready for the Unit Test on Abe Lincoln. 
• We will begin the next unit this Thursday after the Unit Test. 
• On Thursday and Friday nights of this week, the HW will be the same as our usual HW for Monday and Tuesday. 

After the lovely 4-day holiday, we'll return to school on Wednesday and be right on schedule.

Mr. Kuhel

Happy Valentine's Day!

Hi Guys,

    Tonight's homework is to write the new vocabulary sentences 1 - 5 in your HW book. It's the same as we have been doing this whole year. Here's how to do it.

For the vocab sentences (every Tuesday and Wednesday), you need to write 7 things per word:

1.  The number of the vocabulary word (1—10)
2.  The new vocab word
3.  The word form (noun, verb, adjective, adverb or phrase)
4.  The synonym
5.  The easy definition
6.  The sample sentence
7.  Your own sentence using the new word correctly

Examples for Tuesday and Wednesday’s vocabulary sentences:

1.     a message (noun) a note
Easy Definition: a note or anything that gives you info
Sample: The girl sent a text message to her friend.
My Own: I wrote a message on my friend’s notebook.

2.     beautiful (adjective) super pretty
Easy Definition: s.o. or s.t. that is cute or really good-looking
Sample: Everyone says my sister is the most beautiful girl in her grade.
My Own: My mom is the most beautiful woman in the world.

Welcome Back!

Hi Guys,

     Welcome back for the spring semester. We are going to have great fun and learn lots of new things. We won't have a homework cycle book anymore. Instead you will do all your homework in a HW Notebook. The way to do the homework is the same as before.
     Doing the homework in a notebook will better prepare you for the next level. You will have to pay attention and make sure you do everything correctly. The homework stamps are the same. Tonight's homework is:

1. Read and highlight green the next story in Reading Street, Abraham Lincoln
2. You also need to practice spelling the new vocabulary words
3. Cover your new communication books and HW notebook
4. Get a folder for your new vocabulary handouts
5. Read the important sentences
6. Do the Daily Verb for Monday

     Last semester, only one student got the one hundred stamps for the big prize. Congratulations to Evan Chen! Way to go...you are an awesome student.

Winter Homework

Hi Guys,

Congratulations on finishing a great semester. We learned lots. Here is the Winter Homework. It's pretty fun and easy. Just make a poster about the trip you are planning to take during the winter vacation. I am sending home a handout for the homework tomorrow. In case you lose it, here it is. You can always check the blog!

2017 Winter Homework

    This year we have almost four weeks of winter vacation. It starts January 19^th and continues until the new semester begins on Monday, February 13^th. There are a couple of fun projects to do during the holiday.

     With mom and dad’s help, make a big poster showing what you did over the winter vacation. We will hang the posters all around our classroom! So, take lots of pictures while your whole family is cleaning the house before New Year’s Day… on vacation in a foreign country…or visiting relatives around Taiwan. What traditions do your family have to celebrate the New Year? Try to take the pictures yourself. Under each photo, write a caption (1 or 2 sentences that describe the action and people in the photo.)

    If you don’t want to take pictures and make a big poster, the second thing you can do is to draw a picture on a regular sized piece of paper that illustrates the coolest thing you did over the Winter Break. Write a short description (4 or 5 sentences) talking about your illustration and why it was the best, coolest, most awesome thing you did. That’s all!

    On your own, you might want to ask mom and dad to take you to a bookstore and get a few books to read. The more you read, the better you write, and the best schools always take the best writers. Also, it will make your school life so much easier if you read lots of books during your free time. Start a new good habit, this vacation and read as much as you can…whenever you can. Leaders are Readers.

     If you didn’t get enough stamps for your pencil, pen or big special prize during this fall semester, don’t worry. You’ll have a fresh start when the spring semester begins to get 100 stamps and the cool prizes. Have a great Chinese New Year and I’ll see you all on Monday, February 13^th, 2017 at 7:50 in the morning. Don’t be late!

See you in February,

Mr. T. Kuhel 303